Bells returned to Philippine church from US

16 December

 

Three bronze bells have been returned to a church in the Philippines more than 100 years after US forces took them during the Philippine-American War.

 

The so-called Balangiga Bells arrived at the church on Saturday, on the central island of Samar. They were taken as trophies in 1901 by US troops. In a ceremony to mark their return, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte rang the bells drawing loud cheers from more than 1,000 local residents gathered in front of the church.

 

Duterte thanked the United States and declared that the homecoming of the bells is the beginning of a "renewed and more vibrant chapter" in bilateral relations. Relations between the Philippines and the US have been shaky since the inauguration of Duterte, due largely to his handling of human rights issues. The Philippine president has been seeking closer ties with China in a bid to obtain massive economic aid from Beijing.

 

Behind the return of the bells is a US desire to improve ties with Manila in the face of increasing maritime activities by China in the disputed South China Sea. Attention is now focused on whether the move will pave the way for better bilateral relations and result in Duterte's first visit as president to the US.—NHK